Vail Resorts Unveils Opening Dates Across its North America Resorts
27th August 2026
The US resort and lift pass company is looking forward to the approaching season with optimism, but it has many challenges ahead. NEW
Last winter was a poor one for the company with limited snow and dwindling numbers at its main resorts in the Rockies.
We have reported on it on PlanetSKI:
- Vail Resorts admits revenue and visitors down
- 25% drop in visitors to Rockies resorts run by Vail Resorts
- Epic Pass sales down 10% for next season
Vail Resorts is also facing a joint federal antitrust class action lawsuit over its lift pass pricing and policies:
Then there is the matter of a legal challenge from some of its ski and snowboard instructors:
Now it is looking forward to the 2026/27 season.
The first resort to open in the Vail Resorts stable is likely to be Keystone in Colorado.
The resort hopes to claim, for the second year in a row, its title as the first to open in North America.
Planned opening dates include:
- As soon as possible in October – Keystone Resort (CO)
- November 6 – Breckenridge (CO)
- November 13 – Vail Mountain (CO)
- November 20 – Whistler Blackcomb (BC), Park City Mountain (UT), Heavenly (CA) and Northstar (CA)
- November 25 – Beaver Creek (CO) and Crested Butte (CO)
- December 4 – Kirkwood (CA) and Stevens Pass (WA)
Additional resort opening dates will be announced in the coming months. Opening dates are subject to change based on weather and conditions.
Visit epicpass.com to compare all 2026/27 Epic Pass options, including local and regional passes.
Vail Resorts has also mentioned the possibility that the predictions of a so-called ‘Super’ El Nino weather system may increase snowfall in some parts.
This should be taken with a large pinch of salt as scientists say it is far too early to predict its impact on snowfall for next winter.
“It may only be August, but we’re laser focused on preparing our resorts to deliver the best and most differentiated guest experience in skiing and riding,” said Bill Rock, President of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division.
“While no one can predict exactly what Mother Nature will deliver, the possibility of blockbuster snowfall has us feeling optimistic about the winter ahead.
“And while we’d love to see Super El Niño live up to the hype, we’re also taking an aggressive approach to snowmaking to ensure this ski season is one to remember.”
If the forecasts turn out to be true there could be more snow at altitude, especially in the south western ski areas of the USA.
Other areas in North America could see warmer temperatures.
El Niño is a climate pattern revolving around a patch of ocean in the Pacific.
When the sea surface temperatures go above normal the weather system is triggered.
El Niño is a naturally occurring weather pattern, which happens about every two to seven years, lasting for around a year.
Trade winds that typically blow from east to west across the Pacific Ocean can weaken or even reverse, allowing warm water to spread eastwards.
Heat is released from the ocean into the atmosphere, lifting global temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns.
For El Niño in North America, the most notable impact for skiers is a southward shift of the jet stream, sometimes setting the stage for more storms and precipitation across the southern parts of the USA.
Skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI.
Vail Resorts is rolling out a series of investments in food, lessons, gear, guest engagement and talent for next season.
Most notably Vail Resorts is aiming to raise the bar on mountain food with a significant investment to elevate its most popular dishes.
It is also introducing Epic Ascent to enhance private lessons with concierge services.
There is also a full calendar of events across its resorts.
Breckenridge will celebrate its first winter as the “Kingdom of Breck” and welcome back the top ranked Rockstar Energy Open snowboard competition;
Shaun White and The Snow League will bring the global snowboard and freeski halfpipe competition to Park City Mountain for the first time.
Vail Mountain will add new venues and artists to its pop-up music lineup.
Vail Resorts will announce its full lineup of events and activations in the coming months.
Vail Resorts says it continues to heavily invest in best-in-class snowmaking capabilities, with more than $100 million invested across its portfolio since 2015.
The anticipated peak-season single-day adult lift ticket will run you $392 at Beaver Creek this coming season, with Vail not far behind at $374.
Meanwhile, Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass that delivers unlimited days to both mountains all season, plus 40 ski areas around the world, costs a little over $1,000 at its lowest level last spring.
About Vail Resorts
Vail Resorts is a network of resorts across the world.
In North America it includes Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across the continent.
In Europe it runs the lift companies in Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana in Switzerland.
Its Epic Pass is available in a handful of major resorts across the world.
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